Aristada (injection)
Generic name: aripiprazole (injection) [ AR-i-PIP-ra-zole ]
Brand names: Abilify Asimtufii, Abilify Maintena, Abilify Maintena Prefilled Syringe, Aristada, Aristada Initio
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics
What is aripiprazole?
Abilify Maintena and Abilify Asimtufii are used in adults to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Aristada is used in adults to treat schizophrenia.
Aristada Initio is used together with oral aripiprazole to start or restart Aristada.
Aripiprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Aripiprazole side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
High doses or long-term use of aripiprazole can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use aripiprazole, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while using this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.
Aristada may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
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uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
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feeling unusually hot or cold;
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trouble swallowing;
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a seizure;
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feeling like you might pass out (even while lying down);
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severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
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low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
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signs of infection--fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding; or
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high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor.
Common side effects of Aristada may include:
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feeling restless;
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pain where the medicine was injected;
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weight gain; or
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drowsiness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Related/similar drugs
quetiapine, aripiprazole, Abilify, Seroquel, olanzapine, risperidone
Warnings
Aripiprazole is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with aripiprazole if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have never taken aripiprazole.
Aripiprazole may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
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a problem in receiving an injection in the arm or buttocks;
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heart disease, a heart attack or stroke;
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high or low blood pressure;
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high blood sugar, diabetes (in you or family member);
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a seizure;
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high cholesterol or triglycerides;
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dehydration; or
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low white blood cell (WBC) counts.
Using antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn. Tell your doctor right away if you get pregnant. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor's advice.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of aripiprazole on the baby.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
How is aripiprazole given?
If you already use other antipsychotic medication, you may need to keep using it for a short time. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.
If you have never used aripiprazole, you may need to take aripiprazole by mouth (in tablet or liquid form) before you receive your first injection.
You may need to continue taking aripiprazole by mouth for up to 3 weeks after your first injection. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Aripiprazole is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection once every 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose and dosing schedule.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked on a regular basis, and you may need other medical tests.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your aripiprazole injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, weak or shallow breathing, vomiting, aggression, tiredness, confusion, tremors, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate, a light-headed feeling, high blood pressure, seizures, or fainting.
What should I avoid while receiving aripiprazole?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Drink plenty of liquids while you are receiving aripiprazole.
Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
What other drugs will affect aripiprazole?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect aripiprazole, especially:
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blood pressure medications;
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a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
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bronchodilator asthma medication;
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cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);
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medicine to treat overactive bladder;
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medicine to treat Parkinson's disease; or
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medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect aripiprazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Popular FAQ
Yes, the manufacturer Alkermes offers a patient assistance program if you don't have insurance and a copay card for those with commercial insurance, if you meet the eligibility guidelines. Your copay for Aristada or Aristada Initio may be as low as $10 per prescription. Call Aristada Care Support at 1-866-ARISTADA (9 am-8:00 pm ET, M-F) or access the Aristada patient assistance application online to learn more.
If you miss a dose of Aristada, contact your healthcare provider right away to reschedule your missed injection. Depending upon how long it has been since your last dose, you may need to have extra medicine at your next injection, using Aristada Initio, oral aripiprazole or both. You should not miss any doses.
Aristada Initio (aripiprazole lauroxil 650 mg) is used as a long-acting, single intramuscular (IM) injection, with a single oral dose of aripiprazole, for adult patients starting or re-initiating treatment with Aristada to treat schizophrenia. Aristada Initio is not for repeat dosing. Aristada is the long-acting maintenance treatment form of aripiprazole lauroxil given by IM injection. Aristada is administered monthly, every 6 weeks, or every 8 weeks, depending on dose (441 mg, 662 mg, 882 mg or 1064 mg). The first Aristada injection may be administered on the same day as Aristada Initio or up to 10 days later. Aristada Initio is not interchangeable with Aristada due to differences in how these drugs act in the body.
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) 441 mg, Aristada 662 mg or Aristada 882 mg are the extended-release strengths used for once monthly dosing of Aristada. The 882 mg dose can also be given every 6 weeks, and the Aristada 1064 mg dose is administered every 2 months. You and your doctor will determine the best dosing option for you.
You may also receive one injection of Aristada Initio 675 mg and one oral dose of aripiprazole at the beginning of your treatment. Alternatively, you may be given 21 consecutive days of oral aripiprazole in conjunction with your first Aristada injection.
Aristada is used to treat schizophrenia in adults. It is only given as an intramuscular (IM) injection by a healthcare professional.
Aristada is not a hemostatic agent it is an atypical antipsychotic that works on dopamine, serotonin, and other receptors to help treat schizophrenia, but there is a product called Arista AH Absorbable Hemostat which is a hemostatic agent that may be used in some surgical procedures to help control bleeding.
Patients who receive monthly intramuscular injections of Abilify Maintena 400 mg, and have reached steady state concentrations of the drug, can be switched to Aristada 882 mg injection four weeks after their last Abilify Maintena injection. Continue reading
Aristada (aripiprazole lauroxil) is given as an intramuscular (IM) injection into the muscle of your upper arm or buttock based on the dose your doctor prescribes. Your healthcare provider will give you this injection either once every month, once every six weeks, or once every 2 months depending upon your dose. Continue reading
Aripiprazole is one of those medications that can cause sleepiness in some people and insomnia (an inability to get to sleep) in others. Aripiprazole should be preferably taken in the morning, especially if it keeps you awake at night. Research also suggests taking it at night may antagonize D2 dopamine receptors and disrupt 24h rhythms in insulin release, possibly exacerbating metabolic dysfunction. Continue reading
Although Abilify (aripiprazole) has been found to cause less weight gain than other atypical antipsychotics, there is evidence that in certain people it can cause significant weight gain and it may be more likely to cause weight gain in people who are taking it for depression alongside other antidepressants. Side effects such as weight gain may be significant enough for some people to discontinue Abilify, even when it is working well to manage symptoms. Continue reading
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Other brands
Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Abilify Asimtufii, Aristada Initio, ... +2 more
Professional resources
Other brands
Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Abilify Asimtufii, Aristada Initio, Abilify MyCite
Related treatment guides
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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